Chapter 772: Walter's Abnormality
*He wants a stone from my bracelet and the right to use Leymano's
Travels for some time? How does he know that I have those two items? I
don't remember mentioning it during the Tarot Gatherings...*
After hearing Gehrman Sparrow's response, Fors was bewildered and rather
shocked. It felt like he had seen through all her secrets.
She tensed up as she quickly tried recalling how this information
could've been leaked.
*Aside from Teacher, Xio, and Mr. Fool, no one knows that I have these
two items, especially Leymano's Travels. I haven't even used it... Mr.
Fool... Hmm, Mr. World appears quite strange during the Tarot
Gatherings; he never hands over Emperor Roselle's diary pages, and he
doesn't seem to put any effort into this, nor does he show any
concern... He and Mr. Fool have a deeper connection. He obtains the
relevant information from "Him"? A believer or a Blessed?* Fors
carefully thought over the matter as she grasped something, easing her
horror from before.
Only at this moment did she have the time and energy to consider if she
could accept Gehrman Sparrow's requests.
To Fors, such a price was too cheap, far lower than she had expected.
Furthermore, it was reasonable!
As a Beyonder who seldom went out and just stayed home writing and
resting, lending Leymano's Travels for some time didn't affect her
safety or her need to use it. And likewise, giving one of the two
remaining stones in the bracelet that allowed her to travel through the
spirit world didn't cause her to lose all her trump cards.
*The only problem is that Mr. World seems to be willing to only try it
once. If he fails, he will still take the payment... Yes, with the fact
that he needs to bear the risk, that's normal... I originally imagined
that I would need to help him do many things and obtain a reward from
Teacher by using the traitor's head to repay the debt...* Fors
thought calmly for a few seconds before she prayed to Mr. Fool:
"...Please inform Mr. World that I accept his conditions, and I will try
my best to provide him assistance in the operation."
He originally wished to warn Gehrman Sparrow that using the stone might
result in the side effect of receiving the ravings of the full moon, but
she then realized that it was apparently only something Beyonders from
the Apprentice pathway encountered.
*Regardless if it succeeds or fails, I'll obtain that stone. I'll be
able to secretly leave Backlund and meet with Mr. Hanged Man to explore
that primitive island... When the time comes, I'll use the spellbook to
record the usage of the stone. That way, I don't have to worry about the
return trip. That's unless my luck is terrible and the recording
fails...* Klein secretly heaved a sigh of relief, opened the
door, and got Richardson to help him dress up.
"Sir, after breakfast, your schedule is to head to the Royal Museum to
see the royal family's collection exhibition." As Richardson helped his
employer wear his coat, he informed him of the day's schedule.
As Dwayne Dantès mastered social dancing very quickly, the number of
etiquette classes in the morning went from five times a week to three
times a week, allowing him to spare time for other things. And such
exhibitions were definitely a hot topic of conversation in high society
circles. By not going in person, it would make him appear lacking.
As for heading to Saint Samuel Cathedral for the bishop's preachings,
Klein had consciously lowered his frequency. This wasn't because he
needed to donate tens of pounds each time, but that he was afraid that
heading there frequently despite having the novelty period wear off
would incur suspicion. Being natural and reasonable were the core traits
of his plans.
Other than on a Sunday, he planned on randomly heading to Church on two
of the remaining six days. He wanted to rely on an even longer period of
time to accumulate intelligence so as to figure out a pattern. He
couldn't be impatient or in a rush!
"I'm already looking forward to it." Klein looked at the dignified
reflection of himself as he said to his valet with a smile.
Upon thinking of Saint Samuel Cathedral and the Church of Evernight, he
naturally connected it to Leonard Mitchell's secret investigation of
Sherlock Moriarty. He didn't understand what he was suspicious about.
*Is it because of Emlyn White's purchase of Tinder that drove Leonard to
investigate the people related to him, or was it because of the fleeting
appearances of the detective in the cases of Capim and Lanevus that made
the Red Gloves who are in charge of the investigations notice something?
Or could it be both?* Klein thought about the clues that he had
left behind and had a rough guess.
He wasn't afraid that Sherlock Moriarty would be wanted by the Church of
Evernight and given a bounty. After all, apart from contacting a few
people that he was familiar with, the detective wasn't to appear again.
He was worried that someone would discover that Sherlock Moriarty, in
his early appearances, resembled Klein Moretti greatly, and as such,
they would pursue the deceased former Nighthawk.
*In fact, it's not a problem even if they discover that. I'm no longer
the Clown or Magician from before. There are more than a handful of
demigods searching for me. Even with the high-ranking deacons of the
Church, there won't be any qualitative changes... Besides, Benson and
Melissa truly are ordinary people. The Church will definitely not
involve them and disturb their lives... I wonder if they will claim the
bereavement compensation back. Probably not, for there's no way they can
explain it to ordinary people...* Klein wasn't that worried with
all the debt he was in.
This was also why he was so calm when he heard Will Auceptin mention
Klein Moretti's identity last night.
How could a Sequence 1 Angel who was good at fate-related abilities and
had previously interacted with Sherlock Moriarty early on not discover
the detective's origins?
Even with the gray fog's obstruction that interfered with many details,
Will Auceptin was definitely able to know that Sherlock Moriarty
originally came from Tingen.
And back in Tingen, Klein had interacted with a youth named Ademisaul,
who was of the Monster pathway, leading him to bleed from his eyes. And
if Will Auceptin were to be aware of this and make a comparison, the
answer was obvious.
*If Leonard were to really realize Sherlock Moriarty's hidden identity,
I wonder what kind of expression he would have...* Klein gave a
self-deprecating laugh as he walked out the master bedroom. He went to
the second floor to enjoy the breakfast his cook had prepared specially
for him.
West Borough, 2 King's Avenue, Royal Museum.
Klein passed through the ticket entrance with Butler Walter and Valet
Richardson and went into the museum.
The exhibition was held by the Loen royal family. They showcased all
kinds of collections that had historical meaning from the kingdom's
founding so as to allow the public to enjoy and gain an understanding.
It was a way to raise the kingdom's citizens respect and recognition of
the royal family.
As a graduate from the Department of History, Klein was still rather
interested in the exhibition. Many of the matters that he was very
familiar with had the corresponding items appear here. They allowed him
to plunge into the long and fascinating history from another angle.
What left Klein somewhat puzzled was Walter's deep understanding towards
most of the exhibits. He introduced them to Dwayne Dantès with extreme
detail.
*As expected of a butler who came from an aristocratic
household...* Klein silently nodded.
As he perused the exhibits, the trio kept encountering other visitors,
and the exhibition hall was quiet and orderly, so people had to converse
in whispers.
When passing by an exhibit, Klein noticed Walter suddenly stop. He then
glanced to his side as his expression turned complicated.
As he wasn't a Spectator, Klein wasn't able to interpret the actual
meaning of those complicated feelings. All he could do was trace
Walter's gaze towards the exhibit.
Standing in front of the exhibit were a man and a woman. The man was in
his thirties and wore a black suit, silk hat, and a gold-inlaid cane,
looking like a gentleman of status and wealth. The woman was in a yellow
dress with a golden necklace. Her overall attire was inclined towards
bright colors.
Mr. Butler is looking at that man... Klein instantly made the
judgment as he swept his gaze past the target without anyone detecting
him.
He realized that the man looked rather old. His skin was dark as a
result of frequent exposure to the sun. The back of his hand was like
dried wood, and his fingers were extremely rough.
*If I didn't look at his attire, I would've believed it if someone told
me he was a farmer, gardener, or carriage driver...* Klein
retracted his gaze as he felt a little puzzled.
The reason why he noticed these details was because he had seriously
considered the appearance of an ordinary person who adventured in the
Southern Continent for extended periods of time back when he was
constructing the identity of Dwayne Dantès.
He believed that apart from his gaze, bearing, and natural facial
features that were etched by his rich experience, Dwayne Dantès also
needed to have details, such as skin that had experienced long periods
of suntanning, unobvious scars, and rough but strong palms. Otherwise,
it wouldn't be enough to prop up such a character's inherent traits
*I have to say that from the moment I became a Faceless, I'm getting
more and more experienced and wise in the aspect of creating a new
character... If I were to return to Earth, even without my Beyonder
powers, I'll have strong acting skills...* As Klein made
self-deprecating comments inwardly, he saw Walter recover from his stern
look as though nothing had happened.
As for the man with somewhat old facial features and rough skin, he
pointed at a flag inside the exhibition case.
"This is the flag that the Earl of Lastings, Prince Harrods Augustus
used during the White Rose War. Unfortunately, he perished in that war.
However, his death was the turning point of the entire war and the
reason why Loen eventually clinched victory. Look, the flag still has
his blood..."
He's quite knowledgeable in the field of history... Klein gaze
swept towards Walter from the corner of his eye, thought for two
seconds, and smiled. He approached the couple and interjected in a
friendly manner:
"I never expected such a neglected tidbit of history would be known by
someone else. I originally believed that the people's understanding of
the White Rose War was only limited to Loen's victory against Intis.
"Sir, your eruditeness leaves me amazed."
To be praised in front of his female partner, the man's expression
turned from a wary one to a relaxed one. A gleeful smile appeared on his
face.
"I'm just a person who likes history."
He casually swept his gaze towards the servant of the gentleman in front
of him as he suddenly frowned before easing his brows. There were
remnant looks of puzzlement.
Indeed, he knows Butler Walter... Klein smiled while
maintaining his composure.
"Hello there, I'm a merchant from Desi, Dwayne Dantès. How may I address
you?"
The man hesitated and said, "William Sikes, a land steward at a manor."